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Oxford United boss hoping for cup scalp

OXFORD United will have no intention of putting men behind the ball and stifling West Bromwich Albion tonight, according to head coach Michael Appleton.

The visitors head to the Hawthorns for the Capital One Cup second round tie rock bottom of Sky Bet League Two, fully 80 places below their Premier League hosts.

But Appleton, pictured, will stick to the principles he learned during a decade as Baggies player and coach as he attempts to mastermind an upset.

He said: “The way we do things, we’re not set up to go and frustrate and keep it tight.

“I know they have to have a bad night and we need to have a good night, but you never know.”

United will have to make one change, with on-loan goalkeeper George Long unable to play in the competition.

Max Crocombe will come into the line-up, as he did in the 2-1 first round win at Bristol City.

Appleton is considering making a couple of changes and David Hunt, another who played at Ashton Gate, may come in at right back, while new signing Will Hoskins is expected on the bench if he is registered in time.

West Brom manager Alan Irvine travelled to Morecambe to scout United and will play a strong side.

He said: “I know what Oxford’s results have been like this season, but they did win in the cup.

“When I watched them last week at Morecambe they played extremely well and I will approach this as a first-team game.”

The hosts have a wealth of options, with club record signing Brown Ideye, a £10m acquisition from Dynamo Kiev, set for his first start.

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Comments

Albion will indeed put out a strong side
judging by Irvine's comments.
They have some top internationals
in that squad.

Getting my ticket this morning!

COYY

Albion will indeed put out a strong side
judging by Irvine's comments.
They have some top internationals
in that squad.
Getting my ticket this morning!
COYYLeagueOneOx

Albion will indeed put out a strong side
judging by Irvine's comments.
They have some top internationals
in that squad.

Getting my ticket this morning!

COYY

Score: 2

HomerSimpsonDoh
7:52am Tue 26 Aug 14

If we put 20 men behind the ball we'd still lose.

If we put 20 men behind the ball we'd still lose.HomerSimpsonDoh

If we put 20 men behind the ball we'd still lose.

Score: -13

87oufc
10:26am Tue 26 Aug 14

Is there a reason for a 20:00 kick-off? It's not on TV, is it.

Is there a reason for a 20:00 kick-off? It's not on TV, is it.87oufc

Is there a reason for a 20:00 kick-off? It's not on TV, is it.

Score: 0

S Hillier
12:41pm Tue 26 Aug 14

West Brom might give us a bit more room to play our style of football than division two sides give us, you never know what might happen in cup football, it's a funny old game .

West Brom might give us a bit more room to play our style of football than division two sides give us, you never know what might happen in cup football, it's a funny old game .S Hillier

West Brom might give us a bit more room to play our style of football than division two sides give us, you never know what might happen in cup football, it's a funny old game .

Score: 4

Brenda Jackson
2:41pm Tue 26 Aug 14

Good luck to the lads tonight, 'luck' has been in short supply in most matches so far, unless you count bad luck!
If the baggies are below par- and we're on the top of our game a 'Cup upset' could occur.
IF, we do go out tonight, as long as we put on a good performance, steer clear of injuries and don't get heavily beaten- Job done.

Good luck to the lads tonight, 'luck' has been in short supply in most matches so far, unless you count bad luck!
If the baggies are below par- and we're on the top of our game a 'Cup upset' could occur.
IF, we do go out tonight, as long as we put on a good performance, steer clear of injuries and don't get heavily beaten- Job done.Brenda Jackson

Good luck to the lads tonight, 'luck' has been in short supply in most matches so far, unless you count bad luck!
If the baggies are below par- and we're on the top of our game a 'Cup upset' could occur.
IF, we do go out tonight, as long as we put on a good performance, steer clear of injuries and don't get heavily beaten- Job done.

Score: 4

addisonox
5:46pm Tue 26 Aug 14

Get Elliott, Moody and Beauchamp out of retirement! Guaranteed victory!

Get Elliott, Moody and Beauchamp out of retirement! Guaranteed victory!addisonox

Get Elliott, Moody and Beauchamp out of retirement! Guaranteed victory!

Ipsoregulated

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